One of MGM's more vivacious secondary stars during the 40s, petite and
lovely Jean Porter was born in Texas in 1922 but left the state while
young to pursue her dream as an actress. Following some vaudeville
experience, she made her uncredited film debut in 1939 (age 17) and
slowly graduated to sweet-natured ingénues in light, wholesome "B"
fare. Most were sentimental trifles, such as
Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (1944)and
Easy to Wed (1946), or western action
with such obvious titles as
Heart of the Rio Grande (1942)
and
Home in Wyomin' (1942).
Despite her promise and talent, none of her approximately 30 films
managed to set her apart and top stardom remained elusive.
Jean's finest screen roles probably came with
The Youngest Profession (1943)
and
Till the End of Time (1946),
where she met future husband, director
Edward Dmytryk. They married in 1948 and
had three children: Richard, Victoria and Rebecca, the latter becoming
a wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator. Not long into their marriage,
Dmytryk was branded a Communist as one of the "Hollywood Ten" (he was
admittedly once a member of The American Communist Party) and the next
decade or so would be a dark period of time for them.
Unable to work, the blacklisted director moved his family to England
where he found some employment. In 1951, however, Dmytryk decided to
return to the States and was jailed for six months before giving
testimony and being granted a reprieve. As a result, he was allowed to
return to directing. Jean's last film, in fact, would be
The Left Hand of God (1955)
starring
Humphrey Bogart and
Gene Tierney, which was directed by her
husband. She last appeared on 1961 TV episodes of "Sea Hunt" and "77 Sunset Strip."
Throughout their ordeal Jean and Edward remained a loyal
couple and in later years wrote a book together "On Screen Acting" in
1984. Happily married until his death at age 90 of heart and kidney
failure in 1999, Jean continues to be a regular attendee of
film-related events and a by-line contributor for "Classic Images," the
popular magazine for old-styled film fans, in which she reminisces of
Hollywood back then. Jean died at age 95 on January 13, 2018, in Canoga Park (Los Angeles), California.
Sea Hunt(1958)as Marna Gould
77 Sunset Strip(1958)as Dorothy Cooper
The Red Skelton Hour(1951)as Miss Henderson, Nancy, Soda Shop Customer
Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal(1955)as Dixie Dabney Parmenter
The O. Henry Playhouse(1957)as Florrie
Night and Day(1946)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood(1945)
San Fernando Valley(1944)
Bathing Beauty(1944)
Biography(1987)as Self
Hollywood the Golden Years: The RKO Story(1987)as Self
